Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter
This year’s Holy Week has been so different for me, not having to prepare any homilies or lead services. Instead, I con-celebrated mass this morning at the local parish, where there was uplifting music and a good spirit among the overflowing crowd.
The pastor introduced me and told folks that I was here for cancer treatments. Standing in the doorway afterward to shake hands and wish folks a happy Easter, countless folks came up and offered their prayers and support. Some told me briefly of their being survivors. All urged me to have faith and courage. And, the experience of prayer and community increased my faith and courage.
I’ve been told it’s important not to lose much weight before surgery, and having two Easter dinners probably has me looking to gain rather than lose over the weekend!
Right after church, Brother Clay and I went to a downtown hotel for a lovely Easter brunch. In the evening, some of the Franciscan sisters invited me over for dinner. One sister, who was in novitiate during World War II (she has just a few more years of religious life than me!) recalled how disappointing it was that they couldn’t initially receive their profession cross because silver was rationed at that time! But with 65+ years as a sister, I think her vows definitely took.